EMC STORAGE IN PHYSICAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS WITH AXIS NAS-ATTACHED CAMERAS

White Paper
EMC STORAGE IN PHYSICAL SECURITY
SOLUTIONS WITH AXIS NAS-ATTACHED
CAMERAS
Iomega StorCenter px Storage, VNXe Storage, and Axis
NAS-attached camera
 Axis configuration guidelines with EMC storage arrays
 Implementation notes for Axis cameras
EMC Solutions
Abstract
This White Paper describes guidelines for storage configuration, bandwidth
assessments, and the disk recovery and rebuild of EMC storage arrays based on
the results of EMC tests using the Axis camera and Axis camera station. The
values presented are intended to assist by providing the optimum configuration
on a per storage array basis.
August 2012
Copyright © 2012 EMC Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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publication date. The information is subject to change without notice.
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Use, copying, and distribution of any EMC software described in this
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All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
Part Number H14543
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Contents
Executive summary............................................................................................................................... 5
Business Case ................................................................................................................................. 5
Solution overview ............................................................................................................................ 5
Key results ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 6
Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Audience ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Terminology ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Common resolutions ................................................................................................................... 6
Block-level storage system .......................................................................................................... 6
File-level storage system ............................................................................................................. 7
Axis bandwidth calculator ........................................................................................................... 7
Technology overview ............................................................................................................................ 8
EMC storage arrays .......................................................................................................................... 8
Axis camera ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Optimum EMC VNXe and Iomega storage array configurations ............................................................. 9
Storage array performance ............................................................................................................... 9
Disk configuration .......................................................................................................................... 10
Axis camera configuration .................................................................................................................. 11
Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Axis camera configuration .............................................................................................................. 11
Test results ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Test observations........................................................................................................................... 12
Test observations for Iomega px4-300d and px4-300r ............................................................... 12
Test observations for Iomega px6-300d ..................................................................................... 12
Test observations for Iomega px12-350r.................................................................................... 13
Test observations for VNXe3100................................................................................................ 13
Test observations for VNXe3300................................................................................................ 14
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Findings ......................................................................................................................................... 15
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
Iomega StorCenter px Storage, VNXe Storage, Axis NAS-attached camera
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References.......................................................................................................................................... 16
Product documentation.................................................................................................................. 16
Other documentation ..................................................................................................................... 16
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
Iomega StorCenter px Storage, VNXe Storage, Axis NAS-attached camera
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Executive summary
Business Case
Solution overview
Storage is a major component of a physical security installation. To understand how
to design and deploy Axis cameras, we evaluated video retention times, frame rates,
resolution, target bit rates, and other video quality parameters to determine:

The required aggregate megabytes per second (MB/s) to be written to the
storage array

The required amount of total storage
As the aggregate storage bandwidth is defined along with the total storage
requirement, you can use this solution to determine which storage array best meets
customers’ requirements.
EMC provides a large range of storage arrays for storing physical security video and
audio files. By using Iomega® NAS storage arrays, you can meet the needs of a
customer’s Axis network-attached storage (NAS) video storage needs. This solution
provides guidelines for the EMC® VNXe® series and Iomega StorCenter™ px Family
products specifically.
Key results
These technical notes provide information on the following test results:

Maximum bandwidth for each array

Rebuild times for the replacement of a failed disk

Disk drive types and RAID types
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Introduction
Purpose
This document provides guidelines for storage configuration, bandwidth
assessments, and the disk recovery and rebuild of EMC storage arrays based on the
results of EMC tests using the Axis camera and Axis camera station.
The values presented are intended to assist by providing the optimum configuration
on a per storage array basis.
Scope
The scope of this document is to:

Present optimum storage configuration guidelines for the Axis camera when it
is attached to Iomega StorCenter px series arrays and VNXe storage arrays.

Summarize test results carried out by the EMC solution team.
Audience
The intended audience is field sales and EMC partners that are OEMs or resell EMC
products in the digital video surveillance industry.
Terminology
Common resolutions
Table 1 shows the video pixel density standard used in digital video security.
Table 1.
Common intermediate format (CIF) resolution
Resolution (pixel)
CIF format
PAL
NTSC
QCIF (Quarter CIF)
176 x 144
176 x 120
2CIF (CIF x 2)
704 x 288
704 x 240
CIF
352 x 288
352 x 240
4CIF (CIF x 4)
704 x 576
704 x 480
480i/p
704 x 480
704 x 480
720i/p
1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1080i/p1
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
There are two color TV standards: Phase Alternating Line (PAL) and National
Television Standards Committee (NTSC). CIF definitions were originally created in
Europe where the PAL color TV standard is used. The CIF definition was later
expanded to include the NTSC definition.
Block-level storage system
A block-level storage system writes and reads blocks of data using logical block
addresses (LBAs), which are translated into disk sector addresses on the drives. SAN
1
The format of the Axis cameras tested used 1080i
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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storage environments use block-level storage to provide a higher level of
performance compared to file-level storage.
File-level storage system
File-level storage systems add a level of abstraction above the block-level access. In
this case, the host’s data is sent as file system extents, which must be mapped to
logical disk blocks before they are stored on the hard drives. Network-attached
storage (NAS) refers to file-level storage.
Axis bandwidth calculator
Axis provides a design tool that can help determine network bandwidth and storage.
By specifying video-stream characteristics, such as resolution and framerate, you can
obtain an estimate on the approximate bandwidth and storage that the video stream
takes. You can find the Axis design tool from the Axis website:
http://www.axis.com/products/video/design_tool/
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Technology overview
EMC storage
arrays
Axis camera
This document provides configuration information about the following storage arrays:

Iomega StorCenter px4

Iomega StorCenter px6

Iomega StorCenter px12

EMC VNXe3100

EMC VNXe3300
Axis system requirements are as follows:

The minimum Axis camera firmware supported for the NAS function is version
5.40.9.

You can use all firmware later than version 5.40.9 that incorporates the NAS
function.
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Optimum EMC VNXe and Iomega storage array configurations
Storage array
performance
Table 2 shows the optimum storage configuration for each storage array.
Table 2.
Array performance
Storage
array
(CIFS NAS)
Total array
bandwidth
(MB/s)2
Camera
per share
folder
Streams
tested3
RAID
Disk per
storage
pool
Disk
size
Disk
RPM
Type of
disk
Iomega
px4-300d
12
1
3
5
4
1 TB
5,900
SATA II
Iomega
px4-300r
12
1
3
5
4
3 TB
5,900
SATA II
Iomega
px6-300d
12
1
3
5
6
1 TB
5,900
SATA II
Iomega
px12-350r
214
1
3
6
6
3 TB
5,900
SATA II
EMC
VNXe3100
185
1
3
6
30
2 TB
7,200
SAS
EMC
VNXe3300
246
1
3
6
30
2 TB
7,200
NL-SAS
2
Total array bandwidth: The maximum bandwidth a customer should configure for each array.
This value represents the sustained bandwidth that can be achieved with a failed storage
resource, such as a failed storage processor or a disk.
3
Streams tested: The number of cameras used for this test. This does not imply the maximum
value.
4
The number was extrapolated because of a lack of resources (Axis cameras) for a full test.
5
The number was extrapolated because of a lack of resources (Axis cameras) for a full test.
6
The number was extrapolated because of a lack of resources (Axis cameras) for a full test.
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Disk configuration
Table 3 shows the disk configuration requirements for each storage array.
Table 3.
Disk configuration
Storage array
Disk configuration
Iomega px4-300d/px4-300r
Specify the appropriate share size using the Iomega GUI
interface
Iomega px6-300d
Specify the appropriate share size using the Iomega GUI
interface
Iomega px12-350r
Specify the appropriate share size using the Iomega GUI
interface
VNXe3100
One share folder per share
VNXe3300
One share folder per share
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Axis camera configuration
Overview
This section describes the implementation details required for a correct
implementation of Axis cameras with VNXe and Iomega px storage arrays.
Axis camera
configuration
Before configuring the Axis camera, check if the camera model supports firmware of
version 5.40.9 or later from the Axis website and upgrade all connected cameras.
Perform the following steps to configure the Axis camera:
1.
Install the Axis camera from the network and assign a valid IP address.
2.
Create a RAID group on the Iomega or VNXe storage array.
3.
Create the required common Internet file system (CIFS) shares on the storage
array (one CIFS share for each camera).
4.
Mount the CIFS share on the installed camera. You can do this directly from
the camera interface or the Axis application such as the Axis camera station.
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Test results
Overview
This section shows the test observations and requirements for the VNXe and Iomega
px storage arrays when they are connected with the Axis camera.
Test observations
Test observations for Iomega px4-300d and px4-300r
The test observations and requirements for the Iomega px4-300d and px4-300r
storage arrays are as follows:

Minimum firmware requirement: 3.1.14.995

The array was a four-disk unit

We created a single RAID 5 (3+1) storage pool with two LUNs for testing
purposes

The StorCenter px4 array used 8-hour duty cycle disks (consumer grade)

We collected data during a forced single disk fault recovery (disk rebuild)

Memory configuration was fixed (no changes)

Fault recovery time (hours): 10

We used one CIFS share for each camera
Test observations for Iomega px6-300d
The test observations and requirements for the Iomega px6-300d storage array are as
follows:

Minimum firmware requirement: 3.2.2.4456

The array was a six-disk unit

We created a single RAID 6 (4+2) storage pool with two LUNs for testing
purposes

The StorCenter px6 array used 8-hour duty cycle disks (consumer grade)

We collected data during a forced single disk fault recovery (disk rebuild)

Memory configuration was fixed (no changes)

Fault recovery time (hours): 16

We used one CIFS share for each camera
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Test observations for Iomega px12-350r
The test observations and requirements for the Iomega px12-350r storage array are
as follows:

Minimum firmware requirement: 3.1.14.995

The array was a 12-disk unit

We created two RAID 6 (4+2) storage pools for testing purposes, two LUNs for
each storage pool

By default, the StorCenter px12 array used 8-hour duty cycle disks (consumer
grade); enterprise-class disks are available

We collected data during a forced single disk fault recovery (disk rebuild)

Memory configuration was fixed (no changes)

Fault recovery time (hours): 36

We used one CIFS share for each camera
Test observations for VNXe3100
The test observations and requirements for the VNXe3100 storage array are as
follows:

Minimum VNXe operating environment requirement: 2.0.3.13400

We created a single RAID 5 (4+1) storage pool (30 disks) for testing purposes:


One CIFS share was used for each camera

When creating the storage pool, we selected the pool type Generic StorageGeneral Purpose
We collected data in the worst-case scenario:

During a forced single disk fault recovery (disk rebuild)

Using a single storage processor (SP)

Memory configuration was fixed (no changes)

Maximum bandwidth:


Single SP utilization was 50 percent

Maximum bandwidth should be load balanced over both SPs
Fault recovery time (hours): 22
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Test observations for VNXe3300
The test observations and requirements for the VNXe3300 storage array are as
follows:

Minimum VNXe operating environment requirement: 2.0.3.13400

We created a single-disk or double-disk storage pool:


When creating a storage pool, we selected the pool type Generic Storage–
General Purpose

One share was used for each camera
We collected data in the worst case scenario:

During a forced single disk fault recovery (disk rebuild)

Using a single SP

Memory configuration was fixed (no changes)

Maximum bandwidth:


Single SP utilization was 50 percent

Maximum bandwidth should be load balanced over both SPs (55 percent
utilization for each SP)
Fault recovery time (hours): 22
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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Conclusion
Summary
The Axis camera is compatible with and performs well on EMC VNXe and Iomega
StoreCenter px series storage arrays.
Findings
The key findings of the test are as follows:

Axis camera firmware version 5.40.9 or later is supported for the NAS function.

The Axis camera can record at its peak high-definition bandwidth with Iomega
px4-300d, Iomega px4-300r, and Iomega px6-300d storage arrays. We
extrapolated from the test that, with Iomega px12-350r, VNXe3100, and
VNXe3300 storage arrays, the Axis camera can also record at its peak highdefinition maximum bandwidth.

It is easy to configure Axis cameras for the NAS storage. You can do this by
either connecting to the camera directly or using Axis camera station.

VNXe storage pools make provisioning easy and are ideally suited for Axis NAS
cameras.
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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References
Product
documentation
Other
documentation
For additional information about EMC products, see the product documents listed
below.

Iomega StorCenter px Series Quick Install Guide

Iomega StorCenter px Series Users Manual

EMC VNXe3300 Installation Guide

EMC VNXe3100 Installation Guide
For additional information about Axis firmware, see the following article on the Axis
website.

Axis Firmware
EMC Storage in Physical Security Solution with Axis NAS-Attached Cameras
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